A mid-century tribute to the automobile and its importance in American life and the economy.


This movie is part of the collection: Prelinger Archives

Producer: Handy (Jam) Organization
Sponsor: Chevrolet Division, General Motors Corporation
Audio/Visual: Sd, B&W
Keywords: Automobiles: Economic effects; Car culture: General; Occupations: Automotive

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: JayKay49 - - March 8, 2012
Subject: Jam Handy Detroit
Segments show scenes of Dee-troit in its heyday including Woodward with Hudsons and Kerns beyond, and even a shot of Demrys which was about 4 blocks from Jam Handy itself, and 3 blocks from the Fisher Bldg, GM's headquarters. And BTW, across the street from Demry's and just barely visible, is one of Dee-towns premier gay bars - the Brass Rail - but gay only after dark!

One wonders if Ron Gettlefinger had enough sense to show this film to Congress while begging like a french poodle - on its haunches - for bailout money for the UAW. Pelosi et al would have never caught on despite the preponderence of '51 model Chevys and ancient busses and electric busses and guys wearing fedoras throughout this film.

Super film, like only Jam Handy could do it. Love those Chevys too!

Reviewer: ERD. - - May 25, 2007
Subject: Clever
Clever & entertaining 1952 film promoting the virtues of the automobile. Well photographed and narrated. I could feel the positive feeling that was around in this country during the 1950's.

Reviewer: Spuzz - - September 16, 2003
Subject: Aren't YOU in the auto industry?
Early 50's curio which details how important the car is. Mind boggling detailing about how many people depend on the automobile for their employment. Miners! Farmers! Salesmen! Horn Tone Evaluators! Why not stop there? I'm quite sure ANY industry's importance can be evaluated if you squint enough.

Shotlist

IMPORTANCE OF AUTO IN AMERICAN LIFE & ECONOMICS. GOOD ANIMATION OF STREAM OF CARS AROUND MOON. EXPLAINS VAST NUMBERS OF WORKERS INVOLVED IN AUTO INDUSTRY. USES DAGUERRE CAMERA TO EMPTY STREET SCENE OF MOVING PEOPLE & OBJECTS. GOOD QUALITY B&W AUTO SHOTS.




Ken Smith sez: A film commissioned by Chevrolet to show how the American economy is hopelessly dependent on cars. "Any picture of America without automobiles is completely out of date!" Best scene: The horn inspection "toot-tester."

CHEVROLET AUTOMOBILES TRANSPORTATION ADVERTISING ANIMATION DIAGRAMS FANTASY ECONOMICS WORKERS LABOR HORNS BUSES CITIES DETROIT MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY DAGUERRE STREETS PEDESTRIANS COMMUTERS HOUSES MOVING LEISURE RECREATION HIGHWAYS ROADS MAPS GLOBES OUTER SPACE MOON SPACE TRAVEL FARMERS TRUCKS DRIVING TRAFFIC HISTORY Chevrolet Motor Company (sponsor) Automobiles (Chevrolet) Photography Daguerrotypes Photography (Daguerrotypes) Surrealism Cameras Detroit, Michigan (streets) Streets (Detroit, Michigan) Automobile industry Workers (auto) Buses Bus drivers Workers (bus drivers) Economics Manufacturing
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